In a bold move, indie game developer Shiny Shoe, known for its RPG masterpiece, Inkbound, has announced its decision to completely eliminate microtransactions and the battle pass from the game by the end of October. This decision follows a trend in the gaming industry and player sentiment that increasingly opposes the inclusion of these features.
Shiny Shoe made this pivotal announcement through a statement posted on the popular gaming platform Steam. The developer expressed its commitment to be generous and transparent, acknowledging the importance of ongoing development support for the game. However, they have ultimately decided to remove in-game monetization entirely by October 27, 2023.
Previously, Inkbound featured two in-game monetization elements: the "Leveling Pass" and the "Cosmetic Shop." These elements were carefully designed to be entirely optional and cosmetic, with no impact on gameplay and no fear of missing out (FOMO). Nevertheless, in response to the evolving industry and player attitudes, Shiny Shoe has chosen to remove these features from the game.
To maintain the essence of their original design, Shiny Shoe will transform content from the existing "Leveling Passes" into cosmetic-only "supporter packs" available as downloadable content (DLC) on the Steam platform. All other cosmetic content will continue to be available in the game and can be earned through regular gameplay.
The developer's motivation for this change is driven by a desire to create games that can be continually improved and expanded upon post-launch. They value the collaborative process of incorporating player feedback and community-driven content updates. In their own words, they launched Inkbound with in-game monetization features to support the game's ongoing development, but they have now responded to the changing landscape and player sentiments by choosing to eliminate these features.
Players who have previously invested real money in the game have not been forgotten. The development team has expressed its gratitude and pledged to provide "additional bonus rewards" when the game transitions to its "strong 1.0 update" scheduled for release sometime next year.
The gaming community has widely praised Shiny Shoe for this groundbreaking decision. A suspicious player who questioned the move's authenticity in the comments received a reassuring response: "Nothing. Just devs knowing the reputation trade-off isn't worth alienating players. GG devs, keep up the good work."
Another player applauded the developer, stating, "Very good move. I've been vocal in the discord and with friends, and this is a move I highly praise. I will be sure to let friends know about it."
Inkbound's previous recognition, as seen in the quote from Bertie earlier this year, highlights the game's potential. As the follow-up project from the developer of "Monster Train," Inkbound is expected to bring its unique flavor to the world of roguelike games. The decision to remove microtransactions is a testament to Shiny Shoe's dedication to its players and a commitment to creating an unforgettable gaming experience.
In an industry often dominated by microtransactions and loot boxes, Shiny Shoe's decision to pivot away from this model is a significant departure that reflects a growing demand for fair and player-friendly monetization systems. As players eagerly anticipate the upcoming 1.0 update, Inkbound's journey is poised to take a remarkable turn, setting a new standard for indie game development.
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